Backing member for new and existing picture frames

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for use with a picture frame. The apparatus comprises a backing member for such picture frame, such backing member made of a first predetermined material and a plurality of apertures formed through the backing member for preventing moisture build up in such picture frame.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/708,503 filed Aug. 17, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a picture frame backing,and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a clear plasticpicture frame that has apertures formed therein to release trappedmoisture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The backing and stand for many standard picture frames are most often aflimsy board, made of cardboard or paperboard, that frequently warps orbends just after a few months of use. In many cases this prevents theframe from standing upright, and, all too frequently often bends orripples the photograph inside the frame. Consumers must then prop theframe by another manner or simply toss the entire frame away and anotherframe that may pose the same problem. Another problem often found withmany, if not all, of the backing on frames presently available is thepossibility of moisture build up inside the frame which can damage thephotograph.

Thus, it would be advantageous for one purchasing a picture frame ifthere were a frame with a hard backing and stand that would not warp orbend and one which could prevent the build up of moisture inside theframe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for usewith a picture frame. The apparatus comprises a backing member for suchpicture frame, such backing member having each of a predeterminedthickness, length and width and made of a first predetermined materialand a plurality of apertures formed completely through the backingmember for preventing moisture build up in such picture frame.

In a second aspect the present invention provides in combination with apicture frame having a predetermined size and formed of a firstpredetermined material, the improvement comprises a backing member forsuch picture frame, such backing member having each of a predeterminedthickness, length and width and made of a second predetermined materialand a plurality of apertures formed completely through the backingmember for preventing moisture build up in such picture frame.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a picture frame backing that will not retain moisture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a picture framebacking that has vent holes formed therein.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pictureframe backing that can be made in various sizes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pictureframe backing that is made of hard clear plastic.

It is another object of the invention that such picture frame backinghas a stand member disposed on an outer surface for permitting suchpicture frame to stand.

It is still another object of the present invention that such standpermit the frame to stand in either a vertical direction or a horizontaldirection.

These and various other objects and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent after a full reading of the following detaileddescription, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attacheddrawings as described below and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to an embodimentof the invention showing the backing for the frame.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as itwould be mounted in a picture frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTSOF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the presentinvention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identicalcomponents which have identical functions have been designated byidentical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated inthe drawings.

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generallydesignated 10, for use with a picture frame 2. The apparatus 10comprises a backing member 4 for such picture frame, such backing member4 having each of a predetermined thickness, length and width and made ofa first predetermined material and a plurality of apertures 6 formedcompletely through the backing member 4 for preventing moisture build upin such picture frame 2.

Such apparatus 10 further includes a stand member 8 disposed on an outersurface of and hingedly connected to the backing member 4 for permittingsuch picture frame 2 to stand one of in a substantially verticaldirection and a substantially horizontal direction. Such stand member ismade of a second predetermined material.

It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material usedfor the backing member 4 is plastic and it is also preferred that suchplastic be relatively hard. Further, such plastic can be one of coloredor clear, it is preferred that it be clear.

Such plastic is selected from one of polypropylene, polyethylene,polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride, with polypropylene being thepreferred plastic. It is also preferred that such first predeterminedmaterial and such second predetermined material are substantiallyidentical.

Such backing member 4 further includes at least one attachment means,generally designated 20, for permitting the picture frame to be hung ona wall. It is preferred that there are two attachment means 20 on suchbacking member 4.

One of the two attachment means 20 is disposed at substantially amidpoint on one side closely adjacent an upper end thereof while anotherof the two attachment means 20 is disposed at substantially a midpointon an adjacent side closely adjacent an upper end thereof.

Such attachment means 20 can includes at least one of a sawtoothbracket, a ring, a half moon ring and a loop for engagement with aprojection from a wall surface. Drawing FIG. 1 shows the backing member4 with the half moon ring 12 disposed on the back. However, the otherlisted attachment means 20 could also be used.

In a second aspect the present invention provides in combination with apicture frame 2 having a predetermined size and formed of a firstpredetermined material, the improvement comprises a backing member 4 forsuch picture frame 2. Such backing member 4 having each of apredetermined thickness, length and width and made of a secondpredetermined material and a plurality of apertures 6 formed completelythrough the backing member for preventing moisture build up in suchpicture frame 2.

The combination further includes a stand member disposed on an outersurface of and hingedly connected to such backing member for permittingsuch picture frame to stand one of in a substantially vertical directionand a substantially horizontal direction. The stand member is made of asecond predetermined material.

As stated previously it is preferred that such second predeterminedmaterial is plastic. It is also preferred that such first predeterminedmaterial and such second predetermined material are different. This isbecause the frame can be made of any type of material and it can be madeof wood, metal, plastic or even glass.

Such backing member 4 further includes at least one attachment means 20for permitting the picture frame 2 to be hung on a wall. And it ispreferred that such backing member 4 includes two attachment means 20,one of the two attachment means 20 is disposed at substantially amidpoint on one side closely adjacent an upper end thereof while anotherof the two attachment means 20 is disposed at substantially a midpointon an adjacent side closely adjacent an upper end thereof. This permitsthe picture frame 2 to be hung in a substantially vertical direction orin a substantially horizontal direction depending on the picture.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of thepresent invention has been described in detail above, it should beunderstood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of theinvention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled inthe art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for use with a picture frame, said apparatus comprising:(a) a backing member for such picture frame, said backing member havingeach of a predetermined thickness, length and width and made of a firstpredetermined material; and (b) a plurality of apertures formedcompletely through said backing member for preventing moisture build upin such picture frame.
 2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, whereinsaid apparatus further includes a stand member disposed on an outersurface of and hingedly connected to said backing member for permittingsuch picture frame to stand one of in a substantially vertical directionand a substantially horizontal direction, said stand member is made of asecond predetermined material.
 3. The apparatus, according to claim 1,wherein said first predetermined material is plastic.
 4. The apparatus,according to claim 3, wherein said plastic is relatively hard.
 5. Theapparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said plastic is one of coloredand clear.
 6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said plasticis clear.
 7. The apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said plasticisselected from one of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene andpolyvinyl chloride.
 8. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein saidplastic is polypropylene.
 9. The apparatus, according to claim 8,wherein said second predetermined material is substantially identical tosaid first predetermined material.
 10. The apparatus, according to claim1, wherein said backing member further includes at least one attachmentmeans for permitting said picture frame to be hung on a wall.
 11. Theapparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said apparatus include twoattachment means.
 12. The apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein oneof said two attachment means is disposed at substantially a midpoint onone side closely adjacent an upper end thereof while another of said twoattachment means is disposed at substantially a midpoint on an adjacentside closely adjacent an upper end thereof.
 13. The apparatus, accordingto claim 10, wherein said at least one attachment means includes atleast one of a sawtooth bracket, a ring, a half moon ring and a loop forengagement with a projection from a wall surface.
 15. In combinationwith a picture frame having a predetermined size and formed of a firstpredetermined material, the improvement comprising: (a) a backing memberfor said picture frame, said backing member having each of apredetermined thickness, length and width and made of a secondpredetermined material; and (b) a plurality of apertures formedcompletely through said backing member for preventing moisture build upin said picture frame.
 16. The combination, according to claim 15,wherein said apparatus further includes a stand member disposed on anouter surface of and hingedly connected to said backing member forpermitting such picture frame to stand one of in a substantiallyvertical direction and a substantially horizontal direction, said standmember is made of a second predetermined material.
 17. The combination,according to claim 15, wherein said second predetermined material isplastic.
 18. The combination, according to claim 15, wherein said firstpredetermined material and said second predetermined material aredifferent.
 19. The combination, according to claim 15, wherein saidbacking member further includes at least one attachment means forpermitting said picture frame to be hung on a wall.
 20. The combination,according to claim 19, wherein said backing member includes twoattachment means, one of said two attachment means is disposed atsubstantially a midpoint on one side closely adjacent an upper endthereof while another of said two attachment means is disposed atsubstantially a midpoint on an adjacent side closely adjacent an upperend thereof.